Comparing the variability of H\(\)  with predictions from variability of the continuum measured at 5100 Å shows that they are frequent deviations from the predictions [1]}. These “anomalies" are on a timescale of \(\sim 40 \pm 20\)  days or so (see Figure 4 of [1]}) and are independent of the continuum level. Since H\(\)  is responding to variations in the ionizing flux with wavelengths shorter than 912 Å, the anomalies in the H\(\)  response must correspond to changes in the UV to optical continuum shape. Because of these it is important not only to try to determine the UV/optical flux ratio from near-simultaneous observations, but also to to average over variability.
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